Effective teamwork and productivity conferences.

The popularity of various types of team building has grown dramatically in recent years, but many organizations have invested large amounts of time and money for little practical benefit. The growth of team-building activities has been characterized as "management by best-seller." This article examines the long-term impact of a number of team-building activities in terms of their positive effects on both employees and the work situation. Assessments are made of outward bound activities, empowerment programs, discussions of best-selling business books, motivational speakers, and group retreats to examine working relationships. A case study is then presented of a well-planned and structured retreat for a hospital. A group of about 75 supervisors and managers identified the strengths and problems of the hospital, analyzed the causes of the effectiveness and ineffectiveness of each department and the entire hospital, and proposed specific changes to improve teamwork and productivity. Conditions needed for the success of this approach were discussed.